Tears roll down the face of Krishaun Branch as he meets with family and friends after his graduation ceremony from Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn. Source: AP

COMMENCEMENT speeches are a big deal in the US. The universities invite all kinds of awesome people back to give a little bit of knowledge, a little bit of inspiration to the graduating class.

The nuggets of advice are then relayed in self-help books and across the internet. 2014 is no exception for some deep words from the people that have made it big in their professions.

Jay Leno spoke about his struggles using his sense of humour for good while Obama used it to push a government message and P Diddy showed us how arrogance can get you ahead (he hashtagged his own speech).

If you are feeling unmotivated and need a boost to get you back on track, sit back and immerse yourself in these talks. Then get yourself out of bed and do something. Like get a coffee.

Jay Leno

P Diddy

“Don’t be afraid to close your eyes and dream, but then open your eyes and see. For a lot of people the distance between their dreams and their reality is intimidating and they get stuck.

“They get paralysed ... and the only way forward is to be real about what it is going to take to achieve those dreams. You have to be honest with yourself, you have to tell yourself the truth of what it is going to take for you to be successful. It doesn’t come easy, you have to go out there and get it ... The only way forward is to decide, you want that dream.

“You want that dream so bad you’re gonna work harder, you’re gonna get up earlier, you’re gonna stay later, you’re gonna push past the people who doubted you, who laughed at you and hated on you.” - Musician Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Howard University

Mary Barra

“Be open to opportunities when they occur. Embrace them. Enjoy them. And overcome them. They are the experiences that will make you unique, the milestones that define your life.

“And keep your friends and family close. They will make your life journey truly rewarding. During the good times, you’ll have someone to celebrate with — like today. And during the tough times, you’ll have someone to turn to for advice, comfort, and love.” - GM’s CEO Mary Barra

Shonda Rhimes

“I think a lot of people dream. And while they are busy dreaming, the really happy people, the really successful people, the really interesting, engaged, powerful people, are busy doing.” - TV showrunner Shonda Rhimes, Dartmouth

Jim Carey inspires college students to follow their dreams
1:01

Hollywood Actor Jim Carey shares some eternal wisdom with the students at Maharishi University, inspiring them to follow their dreams. Courtesy Maharishi University.

news.com.au

13 Jun 2014

Entertainment

“My father could have been a great comedian, but he didn’t believe that was possible for him, and so he made a conservative choice.

“Instead, he got a safe job as an accountant, and when I was 12 years old, he was let go from that safe job and our family had to do everything we could to survive.

“I learned many great lessons from my father, not the least of which is you can fail at what you don’t want, so why not take a chance at doing what you love?” - Actor Jim Carrey, Maharishi University of Management

Charlie Day

“You cannot let a fear of failure or a fear of comparison or a fear of judgment stop you from doing what’s going to make you great.

“You cannot succeed without this risk of failure. You cannot have a voice without the risk of criticism and you cannot love without the risk of loss.” -Comedian Charlie Day, Merrimack College

Peyton Manning

“Get comfortable with silence. When you do, the important moments will seem louder. Close your eyes once in a while and I promise you, you will see important things clear.

“And every now and then, let go of that tight grip that you have on your goals, when you do it will be easier to enjoy the journey. Because believe me when I say, those audacious goals that you have will still be there.” - Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning

Cecile Richards

“Commencement speeches have to have a message, so this is it: Life as an activist, a troublemaker and an agitator is a tremendous option, and one that I highly recommend to all of you.” - President of Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards, Barnard College

Sheryl Sandberg

“Dream bigger — both for yourself and the world around you. Your life’s course will not be determined by doing the things that you are certain you can do. Those are the easy things. It will be determined by whether you try the things that are hard.” - Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg. City Colleges of Chicago

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